Numbers 12:1-16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:2

Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? - It is certain that both Aaron and Miriam had received a portion of the prophetic spirit, (see Exodus 4:15 , and Exodus 15:20 ;), and therefore they thought they might have a share in the government; for though there was no kind of gain attached to this government, and no honor but such as came from God, yet the love of power is natural to the human mind; and in many instances men will sacrifice even honor, pleasure, and profit to the lust of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:3

Now the man Moses was very meek - How could Moses, who certainly was as humble and modest as he was meek, write this encomium upon himself? I think the word is not rightly understood; ענו anav , which we translate meek, comes from ענה anah , to act upon, to humble, depress, afflict, and is translated so in many places in the Old Testament; and in this sense it should be understood here: "Now this man Moses was depressed or afflicted more than any man האדמה haadamah , of that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:4

And the Lord spake suddenly - The sudden interference of God in this business shows at once the importance of the case and his displeasure. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:6

If there be a prophet - We see here the different ways in which God usually made himself known to the prophets, viz., by visions - emblematic appearances, and by dreams, in which the future was announced by dark speeches, בחידת bechidoth , by enigmas or figurative representations, Numbers 12:8 . But to Moses God had communicated himself in a different way - he spoke to him face to face, apparently, showing him his glory: not in dark or enigmatical speeches; this could not be admitted... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:7

Moses - is faithful - נאמן neeman , a prefect or superintendent. So Samuel is termed, 1 Samuel 2:35 ; 1 Samuel 3:20 ; David is so called, 1 Samuel 18:27 , Neeman , and son-in-law of the king. Job 12:20 , speaks of the Neemanim as a name of dignity. It seems also to have been a title of respect given to ambassadors, Proverbs 13:17 ; Proverbs 25:13 . Calmet well observes that the word fidelity is often used for an employ, office, or dignity, and refers to 1 Chronicles 9:22 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:10

Miriam became leprous - It is likely Miriam was chief in this mutiny; and it is probable that it was on this ground she is mentioned first, (see Numbers 12:1 ;), and punished here, while Aaron is spared. Had he been smitten with the leprosy, his sacred character must have greatly suffered, and perhaps the priesthood itself have fallen into contempt. How many priests and preachers who deserved to be exposed to reproach and infamy, have been spared for the sake of the holy character they... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:14

If her father had but spit in her face - This appears to have been done only in cases of great provocation on the part of the child, and strong irritation on the side of the parent. Spitting in the face was a sign of the deepest contempt. See Job 30:10 ; Isaiah 50:6 ; Mark 14:65 . In a case where a parent was obliged by the disobedient conduct of his child to treat him in this way, it appears he was banished from the father's presence for seven days. If then this was an allowed and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:16

The wilderness of Paran - This could not be the same Paran with that mentioned Deuteronomy 1:1 , for that was on the borders of the promised land, see the note on Deuteronomy 1:1 , Deuteronomy 1:2 ; they were long near the borders of Canaan, and might have speedily entered into it, had it not been for their provocations and iniquities. They spent thirty-eight years in a journey which might have been accomplished in a few weeks! How many through their unfaithfulness have been many years... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:1

Verse 1 1.And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. This relation is especially worthy of observation for many reasons. If Aaron and Miriam had always quietly and cordially supported the honor of their brother, and had not been carried away by perverse and ungodly jealousy, their harmony, however holy it was, would have been perverted by the injustice of many, and alleged against them as a deceitful and insidious conspiracy. It came to pass, then, in the wonderful providence of God, that his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Numbers 12:2

Verse 2 2.And they said, Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? They pride themselves on their gift of prophecy, which ought rather to have schooled them to humility. But such is the natural depravity of men, not only to abuse the gifts of God unto contempt of their brethren, but so to magnify them by their ungodly and sacrilegious boasting, as to obscure the glory of their Author. Miriam and Aaron had received the spirit of prophecy, in order that the grace of God might shine forth in... read more

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